TOTTENHAM 1-0 MANCHESTER UNITED: James Maddison’s goal was enough to separate the sides on another sorry afternoon for Ruben Amorim’s side who remain down in 15th in the table
After beating Manchester United three times this season, Tottenham could be forgiven for asking: “Can we play you every week?”
And United are probably lucky Ruben Amorim did not take over a month earlier otherwise they might be stuck in a full-on relegation battle. United are fortunate to have a 10-point buffer ahead of Wolves in 17th place but Amorim was definitely right about one thing. This is maybe the worst team in United’s proud history.
Since Amorim took over in November, United have now managed a paltry 14 points from a possible 42. There was no new manager bounce and, even though they have saved their best results for the cups, Spurs knocked them out of the Carabao Cup.
United were their own worst enemies again because they had possession and chances – but did nothing with either. Yes, they have a long injury list – winger Amad Diallo the latest casualty – but don’t talk to Spurs about injuries.
Tottenham had a stronger, more familiar line-up and James Maddison got the early winner and maybe Spurs are ready to turn the corner this season under Ange Postecoglou. The Spurs fans were out in force – well over 1,000 – before the game to protest against chairman Daniel Levy and the ownership. But the planned sit-in protest after the game was a bit more half-hearted as, after all, Spurs had won and it was bitterly cold.
But for United, they look a team lacking in quality, the players do not seem to have got to grips with Amorim’s regimented tactical system and their finishing was woeful. It is now ten times they have failed to score in the Premier League this season. United should have scored even before Tottenham went ahead. Rasmus Hojlund saw his shot saved by fit-again Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario and then Diogo Dalot’s follow-up was cleared off the line by Ben Davies.
They were made to pay heavily. Lucas Bergvall’s shot was only pushed back into the danger area by United keeper Andre Onana, Maddison reacted while the defence stood still and the Spurs midfielder smashed home the rebound. Alejandro Garnacho missed a huge chance to equalise when he blazed over from close range and the miss left Amorim with his head in his hands on the touchline.
And no wonder. This game was every inch a bottom half of the table clash. The disappointment derby. Big on history, low on quality. Tottenham have now moved to the lofty heights of 12th while United are stranded in 15th. Tottenham’s over-enthusiastic stadium announcer presented former Spurs midfielder Victor Wanyama to the crowd at half-time. “What a player,” he bellowed. Hardly. But he might still get a game for one of these two.
After all, Wanyama is only a year older than Casemiro who, at 32, is showing his age. The former Real Madrid star was booked for a late foul on Son Heung-min. The foul brought to mind the old joke. “Sorry about that, I got there as soon as I could.” United’s starting line-up cost around £450m and Amorim keeps telling us that they will have to sell before they can buy to balance the books. Who on earth is going to buy this lot?
Garnacho was twice denied by good saves from Onana in the second half. Joshua Zirkzee – who was United’s best player which is saying a lot – headed another chance wide. United did give a 90th minute debut to 17-year-old striker Chido Obi but it was too late. They ran out of time and had long since run out of ideas.
The summer and next season cannot come soon enough for Amorim and United.
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